Fancy Feast Classics & Phosphorus

2cats4me

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For those that feed FF Classics , Are you at all concerned about the % of Phosphorus ?

They all average around  2.30 % DM...

My cats eat mainly FF Classics  . I am not sure if I should be worried about the amount of Phosphorus ..

I suppose this question can  apply to anyone who feeds any brand of canned diet . 

Do you look for a certain % of Phosphorus ?
 
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mrsgreenjeens

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I have a kidney cat, therefore look at the amount of phosphorus in the food I feed her.  I don't look at it for my otherwise healthy cats...only for the one with kidney issues.  And I DO feed Callie (the one with kidney issues), Fancy Feast CLASSICS on occasion, even though they are higher in phos than I should be feeding her with her issues, but both her Vet and I agree that it's better that she eat anything than not eat. 

From what I understand, the phosphorus is in there in a ratio to the calcium, so if there is a higher amount of phos, there is probably a higher amount of calcium to balance it out.  Even some of the "higher quality" foods are known to have higher phos...some of the Wellness and Hounds and Gatos are fairly high in phos.
 

momto3cats

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I've never paid much attention to it until the past couple of years, since I now have a cat with kidney problems.  I have, however, looked at nutrient analysis charts for whole prey, and I noticed that a cat's natural prey has a wide range of phosphorus levels, sometimes well above 2% DM. I think pretty much any phosphorus level you'd find in cat food is probably okay for a healthy cat.
 

cocheezie

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FF cod, sole, shrimp is very, very high in phosphorous. Their other fish pates are high as well. Coch was always a FF pate girl. After she became sick, I read cans and took charts into the store looking for something that might deign herself to eat, and bought anything in a pate I could find with a reasonable or low level of phos. Unfortunately, her favourite had always been cod, sole, shrimp. I used very small amounts to hide meds in. It was a compromise. A bit of bad twice a day and shovelling 2 meds down her throat instead of 4. But virtually every cat food is a compromise - esp with a sickly cat. I tried to substitute Nutro soft pate cod/catfish and other flavours for FF which are much lower in phos, but she would have nothing to do with it. We do what we can with what is available in our particular area and what the cat will eat.

Very few companies list phosphorus levels and store clerks don't seen to know anything about it.

Today in the store, I was reading labels for new low-carb pates to try on my diabetic cat who is stuck on one particular flavour at the moment. Label reading is a necessity these days with so many companies vying for a place in the market. I remember the days when the only choice to be made was Puss N Boots - chicken, beef, or fish.
 

LTS3

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For those that feed FF Classics , Are you at all concerned about the % of Phosphorus ?

They all average around  2.30 % DM...

My cats eat mainly FF Classics  . I am not sure if I should be worried about the amount of Phosphorus ..

I suppose this question can  apply to anyone who feeds any brand of canned diet . 

Do you look for a certain % of Phosphorus ?
This may be useful: Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats pages 154 to 156.
 
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2cats4me

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I've never paid much attention to it until the past couple of years, since I now have a cat with kidney problems.  I have, however, looked at nutrient analysis charts for whole prey, and I noticed that a cat's natural prey has a wide range of phosphorus levels, sometimes well above 2% DM. I think pretty much any phosphorus level you'd find in cat food is probably okay for a healthy cat.
Thank you so much .. It is very confusing because their is so much conflicting info out there .. It is hard to know the right thing to do .
 
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2cats4me

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I have a kidney cat, therefore look at the amount of phosphorus in the food I feed her.  I don't look at it for my otherwise healthy cats...only for the one with kidney issues.  And I DO feed Callie (the one with kidney issues), Fancy Feast CLASSICS on occasion, even though they are higher in phos than I should be feeding her with her issues, but both her Vet and I agree that it's better that she eat anything than not eat. 

From what I understand, the phosphorus is in there in a ratio to the calcium, so if there is a higher amount of phos, there is probably a higher amount of calcium to balance it out.  Even some of the "higher quality" foods are known to have higher phos...some of the Wellness and Hounds and Gatos are fairly high in phos.
Awesome , thank you very much ..
 
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2cats4me

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FF cod, sole, shrimp is very, very high in phosphorous. Their other fish pates are high as well. Coch was always a FF pate girl. After she became sick, I read cans and took charts into the store looking for something that might deign herself to eat, and bought anything in a pate I could find with a reasonable or low level of phos. Unfortunately, her favourite had always been cod, sole, shrimp. I used very small amounts to hide meds in. It was a compromise. A bit of bad twice a day and shovelling 2 meds down her throat instead of 4. But virtually every cat food is a compromise - esp with a sickly cat. I tried to substitute Nutro soft pate cod/catfish and other flavours for FF which are much lower in phos, but she would have nothing to do with it. We do what we can with what is available in our particular area and what the cat will eat.

Very few companies list phosphorus levels and store clerks don't seen to know anything about it.

Today in the store, I was reading labels for new low-carb pates to try on my diabetic cat who is stuck on one particular flavour at the moment. Label reading is a necessity these days with so many companies vying for a place in the market. I remember the days when the only choice to be made was Puss N Boots - chicken, beef, or fish.
Yeah , I am kind of limited  as far as brands to try .Friskies gives my male cat diarrhea and anything with wheat gluten seems to make my female vomit .Cost is also a factor .. My cats are  also very picky and FF Classics is the only one they will eat consistently . FF has 5 Classics that contain  no fish , I just stick to those ones .. They seem to be happy ..
 
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pocho

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I'm confused about calcium phosphorous ratio too. I feed my babies egg yolk sometimes because it is so good for them but know it is also high in phosphorus. So to counteract I add some raw goat milk for calcium balance but basically I am guessing. It can be so disheartening to navigate through the pet food industry. Obviously money comes before animal health. Constant recalls and beloved pets dieing or cats with chronic illnesses due to diet is too common place. Really disgusting what they will get away with if they can....
 
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2cats4me

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I'm confused about calcium phosphorous ratio too. I feed my babies egg yolk sometimes because it is so good for them but know it is also high in phosphorus. So to counteract I add some raw goat milk for calcium balance but basically I am guessing. It can be so disheartening to navigate through the pet food industry. Obviously money comes before animal health. Constant recalls and beloved pets dieing or cats with chronic illnesses due to diet is too common place. Really disgusting what they will get away with if they can....
Yeah , the whole pet food thing is very confusing and frustrating at times . 
 
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2cats4me

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Well I have scoured the internet and I cannot find a definitive answer on the exact amount of phosphorus for a healthy cat  so I am not going to worry about .. My cats are doing really well eating their Fancy Feast Classics twice a day . ( 6 ozs . each  total ) plus 1/4 cup  low carb kibble .. I will just stick to the flavors with no fish .. 
 

pocho

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I think people on this site that make home made food would know. Maybe we can ask in the home made raw food section? They have to know these things....
 
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2cats4me

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I think people on this site that make home made food would know. Maybe we can ask in the home made raw food section? They have to know these things....
Yes, I would think so ..
 
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pocho

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Ha! Found a site with atleast the ratio we need to look for. It is feline-nutrition.org. The ratio is 1.1:1 calcium being first number.
 
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